IMPROVING SCREENING FOR BREASTFEEDING DIFFICULTY AND ASSESSMENT OF LABIAL AND LINGUAL FRENULUM-TIES IN BREASTFEEDING INFANTS DURING THE PEDIATRIC VISIT

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Caitlin D'Alonzo (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: The correlation between breastfeeding difficulty and labial (lip) and lingual (tongue)-tie has recently been a controversial topic with focus on treatment concerns. The focus should be redirected to standardized identification of breastfeeding difficulty and assessment for frenulum tethers as a cause for infants during pediatric office visits. In order to meet American Academy of Pediatrics and U.S. Preventative Task Force recommendations to exclusively breastfeed infants up to at least 6 months of age , a project was designed to encourage standardized inquiry and education about breastfeeding and potential tongue/lip-tie during the highly influential outpatient pediatric visit (AAP , 2015; U.S. Preventative Task Force , 2016). This project introduces clinical guidelines comprised of breastfeeding difficulty screening questions , lingual/labial frenulum assessment tools , and treatment recommendations for use by providers in a private pediatric clinic. Methods for educating and implementing new guidelines with practitioners included educational sessions with visual and descriptive tools , and interdisciplinary instruction with Lactation Consultants and Otorhinolaryngologists (ENT). Participants included private and government-funded paying families with breastfed infants in an urban pediatric clinic over the course of 3 months. Data analysis was collected during weekly medical record audits. There were a total of 109 breastfeeding infants screened or examined for frenulum tie. There was an increase in breastfeeding difficulty screening. In conclusion , after evaluation it was determined that dissemination of current literature regarding how best to screen for breastfeeding difficulty and , in response , recognize , assess , and repair tongue and lip-tie in infants experiencing breastfeeding difficulties increases standardization and consistency of screening as well as awareness of tongue/lip-tie as a contributor to breastfeeding difficulty.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2019

Keywords

Breastfeeding; Breastfeeding difficulty; Breastfeeding difficulty screening; Labial frenulum; Lingual frenulum

Subjects

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